Ingleby Cross to Clay Bank Top - August 24, 2013

OK, I'll admit it right up front: We cheated. As we ate a nice dinner last night at the Blue Bell Pub, the heavens opened and rain descended in sheets. Lightning flashed too close by, and thunder roared. At a brief pause in the storm we jogged back to our quarters at Elstavale and agreed that if this continued, we would avoid the 14 mile walk to Clay Bank Top. In addition to its length, this section is at high altitude with many steep climbs and descents, some on stone steps.  The rain was relentless all night, and we knew that the bogs would be deep, the becks flooded, and the stones slippery.  We decided that our aging knees should not be put at further risk.

This morning, with the help of our highly efficient hostess, we planned a day in North Allerton instead.  After a 40 minute bus ride we arrived in a busy market town, smaller than Richmond, but crowded because of a Saturday market day.  

Vendors had set up stalls along the Main Street and the regular shops were crowded.  Toni found Betty's, a famous pastry shop with amazing, expensive creations, but we managed to control our appetites. Joe found a barber shop which gave him his best haircut in years for a very reasonable price. 

We had lunch at Lewis & Cooper, an upscale deli with a crowded upstairs tea room. Toni cured her shopping deprivation without actually buying anything (YES!)

Our weather fears seemed validated when rain started to fall again at 2:00 pm. After some confusion about bus schedules, we found the bus to The Black Swan in Kirby, the pickup point for our B&B, the Dromondy Bridge House, just as tired as after a day's walk.

Dromondy Bridge house was not among our picks for top B&B's, but it does have a certain seedy, antique charm.  Tomorrow, back to the walking path.